A BUNGLING burglar was caught red-handed on CCTV after spending hours breaking into a pub and stealing hundreds of pounds’ worth in cash.

Stewart Gwynfor Heydon, of Garth Avenue, Pontypridd, was captured on two hours’ worth of footage at The Patriot Bar on Taff Street, where he had climbed into a first-floor office and broken several screwdrivers trying to burst open a metal safe.

The 49-year-old, who was a regular at the Ponty pub, broke a one-armed bandit and a jukebox and used a key left in the till of the pub to let himself out.

But little did he know that the Patriot pub has more than 16 CCTV cameras inside and outside the property watching his every move.

The footage, recorded in the early hours of September 10, captures the father climbing into a first-floor office covered in security paint which covers the outside walls of the building.

He then spends over an hour trying to break into a metal safe which he believes holds the majority of the day’s takings.

Mike Powell, prosecuting at Pontypridd Magistrates’ Court on September 20, said: “The burglary in question happened overnight in the centre of Pontypridd.

“The defendant forced entry into the rear of the premises. A quantity of coins were taken from a filing cabinet upstairs. Coins were also taken from the bandit and jukebox.

“The premises are covered by CCTV. It was then checked the day after and shows the person in question in the building from around 12.15am.

“The licensee could only estimate the quantity of cash taken.

“He was arrested by officers, and during interview he fully accepted he entered the premises and took the money.

“He said he did it out of desperation.”

Around £350 was taken from the pub, but Heydon denies ever taking money from a charity box which was normally kept on the ground floor.

The Glyncoch man, who had not carried out a similar offence for at least 10 years, said he was remorseful for his actions.

Neil Foley, defending Heydon, said: “This was an amateur attempt.

“He had no disguise and was in full view of the cameras.

“He is the guardian of a young child and I think the remorse and the worry since this court date and charge has weighed heavily on his mind.”

Magistrates ordered Heydon to pay compensation of £350, £85 costs and gave him a 12-month community order. He must also obey a curfew between 9pm and 6am for three months.